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Rugby Union
2021 British & Irish Lions Tour
Test Match 1: All Blacks v British & Irish Lions (Auckland)
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<blockquote data-quote="Nubiwan" data-source="post: 861801" data-attributes="member: 43441"><p>Well, I was away with my daughter for the weekend as she had a footy tournament. I did my best to avoid the result and planned to watch the game some 12 hours later on delay. Sadly, a mate of mine had text me <strong>"well, that was sobering"</strong>, and blew my plans, so I assumed the result we all rather expected. I have just plucked up the courage to watch the match today, so here are some thoughts.</p><p></p><p>ABS were pretty awesome. The main difference, which I always see in their game, is the offload in contact. Simply always have a support runner available, and rarely does the ball die at the first, second even third tackle. Quite simply, the Abs dominated the opening half, in terms of territory and possession. They were another level that the Lions have not faced yet, on a very demanding tour. Still, the Lions ought be complemented for keeping the score as close as it was in the first half. ABs had real trouble converting possession and territory into telling points difference on the scoreboard, so the Lions can take some consolation form that. The lions closed the half out with the try of the tour so far. I could not help thinking was remarkably similar to the Gareth Edwards try for the Barbs in 73.</p><p></p><p>Since I've admitted the Lions deserved defeat, I would add that they did rather blow a few chances to make the game a lot more interesting. I think this Lions team can beat the ABs, but not something we are going to see on a regular basis. With some better decisions from the referee, better conversion of chances, even better defence, then who knows?</p><p></p><p>With my blinkered vision on "optimal setting", I personally thought some of the refereeing decisions poor in the test. ABs are just never penalised for obstructing kick chasers and they always discreetly cross lines of runners chasing. The offside rule at the ruck, which has been discussed ad nausea, is a crap shoot. Sometimes they call it, sometimes they let the most obvious ones go. When it happens under your posts, then its just too easy to say, well, the ref got it right. Its happening all over the park without penalty. Inconsistent at best. Also thought the Abs guilty of collapsing several Lions rolling mauls from Line Out. The first time such a penalty was called, was in the 75th minute, and the pen was awarded to the Abs. I rather threw my hands in the air when I saw that. The ref had minimal impact otherwise, but he certainly never gave us that many breaks. If I were to pass judgement, then I'd just say the penalty count unfairly favoured the ABs. Right, thats my sour grapes out of the way.</p><p></p><p>As for the Lions - here are my final thoughts. The game was not as much of a blowout as I had anticipated once I knew the score. Fair to say that most of the tries were opportunist efforts from broken play. Lions try from their own 22. The NZ winger's final try. While there were some periods of ABs onslaught, the Lions had periods of their own pressure too. To me at least, It was certainly not the one sided affair that has been reported in much of the British press. The game got away from the Lions in the end, but I think the final score perhaps a little flattering for the ABs. I thought the Lions defending was decent, just not good enough. Thought our enterprising play was very positive, just not as clinical as it needs to be. Thought bringing Te'o off and sliding Farrell out to centre was a mistake. Farrell is our best 10 (IMHO), but Te'o was doing a decent job on SBW, and there was no need to for that change. Alun Wyn Jones shouldn't play another test. He hasn't the gas. NZ comms were talking about him sucking the big ones after 20 minutes, and he was. Sam Warburton has been rather a big disappointment for a Lions captain. Still, I am pretty proud of the Lions display. The Abs were just too good on the day.</p><p></p><p>I still think the Lions can go into the 2nd test and give the Abs a run for their money. Not about to predict a win, but it was hardly all one way traffic, and if the Lions had been a little more clinical on the 3-4 real chances they did create, then who knows. Some of those AB's will know they have been in a contest. Some not returning for the 2nd or 3rd tests. Thought it was a terrific pulsating game. Just sad I had to miss it live, and watching it, when you know the outcome, is like having someone describe to you what really good chocolate ice cream tastes like. No fun.</p><p></p><p>Come on Lions. Keep it competitive at the very least. Still think we can nick one. Lets pay off a French ref, and make bloody sure of it. <img src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7" class="smilie smilie--sprite smilie--sprite1" alt=":)" title="Smile :)" loading="lazy" data-shortname=":)" /></p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="Nubiwan, post: 861801, member: 43441"] Well, I was away with my daughter for the weekend as she had a footy tournament. I did my best to avoid the result and planned to watch the game some 12 hours later on delay. Sadly, a mate of mine had text me [B]"well, that was sobering"[/B], and blew my plans, so I assumed the result we all rather expected. I have just plucked up the courage to watch the match today, so here are some thoughts. ABS were pretty awesome. The main difference, which I always see in their game, is the offload in contact. Simply always have a support runner available, and rarely does the ball die at the first, second even third tackle. Quite simply, the Abs dominated the opening half, in terms of territory and possession. They were another level that the Lions have not faced yet, on a very demanding tour. Still, the Lions ought be complemented for keeping the score as close as it was in the first half. ABs had real trouble converting possession and territory into telling points difference on the scoreboard, so the Lions can take some consolation form that. The lions closed the half out with the try of the tour so far. I could not help thinking was remarkably similar to the Gareth Edwards try for the Barbs in 73. Since I've admitted the Lions deserved defeat, I would add that they did rather blow a few chances to make the game a lot more interesting. I think this Lions team can beat the ABs, but not something we are going to see on a regular basis. With some better decisions from the referee, better conversion of chances, even better defence, then who knows? With my blinkered vision on "optimal setting", I personally thought some of the refereeing decisions poor in the test. ABs are just never penalised for obstructing kick chasers and they always discreetly cross lines of runners chasing. The offside rule at the ruck, which has been discussed ad nausea, is a crap shoot. Sometimes they call it, sometimes they let the most obvious ones go. When it happens under your posts, then its just too easy to say, well, the ref got it right. Its happening all over the park without penalty. Inconsistent at best. Also thought the Abs guilty of collapsing several Lions rolling mauls from Line Out. The first time such a penalty was called, was in the 75th minute, and the pen was awarded to the Abs. I rather threw my hands in the air when I saw that. The ref had minimal impact otherwise, but he certainly never gave us that many breaks. If I were to pass judgement, then I'd just say the penalty count unfairly favoured the ABs. Right, thats my sour grapes out of the way. As for the Lions - here are my final thoughts. The game was not as much of a blowout as I had anticipated once I knew the score. Fair to say that most of the tries were opportunist efforts from broken play. Lions try from their own 22. The NZ winger's final try. While there were some periods of ABs onslaught, the Lions had periods of their own pressure too. To me at least, It was certainly not the one sided affair that has been reported in much of the British press. The game got away from the Lions in the end, but I think the final score perhaps a little flattering for the ABs. I thought the Lions defending was decent, just not good enough. Thought our enterprising play was very positive, just not as clinical as it needs to be. Thought bringing Te'o off and sliding Farrell out to centre was a mistake. Farrell is our best 10 (IMHO), but Te'o was doing a decent job on SBW, and there was no need to for that change. Alun Wyn Jones shouldn't play another test. He hasn't the gas. NZ comms were talking about him sucking the big ones after 20 minutes, and he was. Sam Warburton has been rather a big disappointment for a Lions captain. Still, I am pretty proud of the Lions display. The Abs were just too good on the day. I still think the Lions can go into the 2nd test and give the Abs a run for their money. Not about to predict a win, but it was hardly all one way traffic, and if the Lions had been a little more clinical on the 3-4 real chances they did create, then who knows. Some of those AB's will know they have been in a contest. Some not returning for the 2nd or 3rd tests. Thought it was a terrific pulsating game. Just sad I had to miss it live, and watching it, when you know the outcome, is like having someone describe to you what really good chocolate ice cream tastes like. No fun. Come on Lions. Keep it competitive at the very least. Still think we can nick one. Lets pay off a French ref, and make bloody sure of it. :) [/QUOTE]
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2021 British & Irish Lions Tour
Test Match 1: All Blacks v British & Irish Lions (Auckland)
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